Introduction
Before I proceed I will like to explain the
following terms:
1.Role – According to The Oxford
Advanced Learners dictionary (5th Edition) , role is a function that a person or thing
typically has or is expected to
have.” In the light of the definition of
role above, two things come to mind, first, role is an action, a present
continuous performance of a person or thing. Second, role is an expectation –
people are looking up to seeing it whether or not it is delivered is another
issue that is not within the context of this
work.
2. Management: The dictionary
meaning of management includes
a.
The
control and making of decisions in a business
or similar organization
b.
the
people who control business or similar organization
c.
the process of dealing with or controlling people
or things. All the definitions above
hinge on ‘people, planning and
implementation of plans in order to achieve an expected end or goal.
3. Leadership: Scholarly and philosophically, there are
unlimited definitions of leadership. However, all of them are pointing towards
motivating people to achieve a set objective. It is pertinent to note that the leader does not only
motivate others but takes part in the process of achieving the
set goals.
Hence, Kebble (1976) , sees a leader as
a senior partner with other members to
achieve the task, build the team and meet
individual needs.
From the
definition so far, we can sum it up by saying that ‘ the role of management and
leadership in educational services ‘ has to do with identifying educational
problems in order to achieve the set objectives, creating a conducive
atmosphere for the goals to be attained by motivating both staff /students to
teach/ learn willingly, supervising the
whole process and evaluating the earlier set educational objectives. Thus, the role of
management and leadership in educational
services is all encompassing
FACTORS THAT
AFFECT GOOD MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP In educational
services
In order to manage and lead effectively, some factors are
indispensables some of such factors include;
i.
Good
school library
ii. A set of
dedicated and qualified teachers
iii. A sizeable well
behaved students body
·
A
good school library should be current, spacious enough to accommodate many
students / researchers, noise – proofed,
ventilated and air-conditioned where applicable or possible.
·
Sets
of dedicated and qualified teachers serve to make education and knowledge pass
through the students as the students pass through the classes or school.
·
A
sizeable student body is also necessary in effective school management and
leadership because when a class is too large, the facilitator (teacher) looses
control of the students and dissipates much energy to achieve little.
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Leadership and
management work together to achieve the set objectives but they have some
differences. While leadership captures concepts, convinces educational visions
and overall direction but management ensures that principles are implemented as
required by the educational leadership, according to Olan Kazim (1992) in
Emmanuel Akuma (2008) are summarized as follows:
|
|
Leadership
|
Management
|
|
1
|
Leadership is a quality
|
Management is a science and an
art
|
|
2
|
Leadership provides vision
|
Management supplies realistic
perspective
|
|
3
|
It deals with concepts
|
It deals with functionality
|
|
4
|
Leadership assumes
|
Management faces facts
|
|
5
|
It seeks for effectiveness
|
It strives for efficiency
|
|
6
|
Leadership provides direction
|
Management controls
|
A close look on
the table above reveals that leadership and management have some differences
but also related. When the functions of the two disciplines are integrated
towards finding solution to educational problems, the outcome is obviously
excellent.
LEADERSHIP IN THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Leadership in the public school system involves the process by which the
school administrator, as an executive leader of the school controls and
motivates the behaviour of both staff (tutorial and non – tutorial staff) and
students, towards a specific set of educational objectives. The school
administrator is able to do this due to some factors, which are outlined as
follows.
1. The
administrator possesses an official rank that gives him authority to direct and
control others
2. He or she has
authority to punish and reward defaulting
and excellent staff members respectively.
3. Ideally, the
school administrators possesses more managing skill and knowledge due to his/
here long time experiences and exposure.
CONCLUSION
The unique role
of management and leadership in educational services cannot be over emphasized.
Sequel to this, Emmanuel Akumah (2008; p.160), in his bid to stress the vital
role of leadership in solving our national educational problems said, “There
are five requirements for school effectiveness. The third is leadership, the fourth is leadership and the fifth is leadership.” The summary of it all is
that the
set educational objectives of any
nation and its attainability, which
defines the standard of education of
that country depends extensively
on the leadership and management of the educational sector.